1981 in Norwegian music

The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 1981 in Norwegian music.

April

 * 10 – The 8th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (April 10 – 12).

May

 * 20 – 9th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 20 – June 3).

Unknown date
A
 * The Aller Værste!
 * Disniland I De Tusen Hjem (Den Gode Hensikt)

G
 * Jan Garbarek
 * Folk Songs (ECM Records), with Charlie Haden, and Egberto Gismonti
 * Eventyr (ECM Records), with Nana Vasconcelos, Palle Danielsson, and John Abercrombie
 * Nude Ants (ECM Records), with Keith Jarrett, Palle Danielsson, and Jon Christensen

K
 * Karin Krog
 * I Remember You (Spotlite Records)

R
 * Terje Rypdal
 * To Be Continued (ECM Records)

S
 * Thorgeir Stubø
 * Notice (ECM Records)
 * Øystein Sunde
 * Barkebille Boogie (Philips Records)

V
 * Jan Erik Vold
 * Stein. Regn (PolyGram Records), with Kåre Virud and Telemark Blueslag

Deaths

 * February
 * 1 – Geirr Tveitt, composer and pianist (born 1908).


 * May
 * 22 – Reimar Riefling, classical pianist, music teacher, and music critic (born 1898).

Births

 * February
 * 2 – Julian Berntzen, vocalist, pianist, violinist and composer.


 * March
 * 18 – Ingrid Olava, singer, pianist, and songwriter.
 * 25 – Cato Sundberg, vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, Donkeyboy.


 * April
 * 7 – Amund Maarud, blues and rock guitarist.
 * 27 – Hilde Marie Kjersem, singer and songwriter.


 * June
 * 16 – Ola Kvernberg, jazz violinist and composer.


 * July
 * 13 – Sigurd Hole, jazz upright bassist, Eple Trio.
 * 28 – Lars Fredrik Frøislie, vocalist, keyboardist and drummer.
 * 29 – Gjermund Larsen, traditional folk music violinist and composer.


 * August
 * 3 – Erlend Tvinnereim, operatic tenor.


 * October
 * 24
 * Fredrik Mikkelsen, jazz guitarist.
 * Lucy Swann, English musician, vocalist, and composer, living in Norway.
 * 26 – Erlend Slettevoll, jazz pianist and keyboarder.
 * 28 – Andreas Loven, jazz pianist.
 * 29 – Lene Alexandra, singer and model.


 * November


 * December
 * 17 – Kim Myhr, jazz guitarist.
 * 20 – John Olav Nilsen, vocalist and songwriter, John Olav Nilsen & Gjengen.
 * 24 – Solveig Heilo, composer and percussionist, Katzenjammer.


 * Unknown date
 * Ivar Loe Bjørnstad, jazz and rock drummer.
 * Todd Terje, DJ, songwriter, and record producer.